Social customs such as tipping etc.

[johnny]

Originally posted by Arledrian: Well Johhny, in Holland I always tipped the barber, and most people I knew there did too. I agree that it's horribly expensive over there, but a haircut in the states is literally half the price - from fifteen euros to eight dollars.

Come to think of it, you're right. I used to tip the barber too. I kinda forgot, cause i haven't been in a barbershop in years, i have someone coming over to my house. When i had to pay, let's say, 18,95 in guilders, i gave him 20.

[the new JR Jansen]

Originally posted by Stratos: Depends on where you are staying, a luxurious hotel is different than a youth hostel. Only really classy places has a guy opening the restroom door for you and I think that you are supposed to tip him. Otherwise the fee is usually written somewhere close to where you do your needs, or there is a cranky old lady in a booth charging you for your visit. I have also heard that 10% is a safe tip.

Somehow, i find this very disturbing .

[Reeka]

Originally posted by Arledrian: Does anyone know if it's customary to tip barbers here in the States? I only got my hair cut over here for the first time two weeks ago and really wasn't sure what to do.

Hi, Alex! Well women do tip the people that do their hair; however, you never tip to owner of the shop. That would be an insult. I guess the same thing hold true for men, especially when you are at one of these unisex places.

[antryg]

Most resturaunts in the United States pay waiters and waitresses what would be less than minimum wage in any other job. These workers literally live off of their tips. Tipping waiters is such an ingrained custom that the Internal Revenue Service taxes them based on what they think you should have made in tips. Given all of this you can still get some pretty lousy service. In the Dallas, Texas area the tip for normal or good service would be 10-15% during the day and 20% at night. Exceptional service would rate more. A mens haircut at a unisex salon would rate a tip but a trip to the barbershop would not automatically rate the baber a tip. I guess the theory is that any idiot can use a pair of clippers but an "artiste" would be working in a salon.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by antryg: Most resturaunts in the United States pay waiters and waitresses what would be less than minimum wage in any other job. These workers literally live off of their tips. Tipping waiters is such an ingrained custom that the Internal Revenue Service taxes them based on what they think you should have made in tips. Given all of this you can still get some pretty lousy service.

That's what I've never been able to accept about 'mandatory' tipping. It's just greed on the part of employers.
In NZ the absolute minimum wage is officially $8.55 per hour. Can't get any lower than that if it's registered income (paying 'under the table' is different of course. Then it can be anything you want). With the exchange rate taken into account, prices here are still pretty much identical relative to America/Europe. Ie: A cheeseburger McDonalds combo will cost you about $5 in both the States and New Zealand, it's just that US dollars are pretty much doubled when converted to $NZ. So if you have $100US and come to NZ you'll have $200NZ, and will be able to buy twice as much stuff. Anyway, you get the picture. Still, I hear tell that some restaurants and bars in the States pay something ike $4-5 per hour plus tips. That's just heinous exploitation on the part of employers! Employers should bump up their workers wages so customers don't have to shell out extra money to cover the costs of labour that employers should be paying themselves! It pisses me off! Sorry, rant over.

But I digress. So, tipping a few bucks for decent/average service is pretty much the standard worldwide?

[arion windrider]

i do cow tip when i can [img]smile.gif[/img] heh heh

[Donut]

In England:

We tip barbers and cab drivers (10%). Restaurants (15%) but check to see if a service charge is added to your bill in which case don't tip. In pubs and bars you don't tip the barstaff if you buy at the bar. It is acceptable to buy them a drink if you want to.

[Seraph]

Originally posted by Charlie: TIPS is short for - To Insure Proper Service. At least that's what I heard on TV not so long ago.

'Tip' is an old word, and it has nothing to do with either acronyms or the act of attempting to influence quality of service. Although the word has many meanings, both as a verb and as a noun, the use of the term as it applies to monetary rewards to servants dates to the 1700s. It first appeared in this context as a verb ("Then I, Sir, tips me the Verger with half a Crown" from the 1706 George Farquhar play The Beaux Stratagem) and was first recorded as a noun in 1755. However, the use of 'tip' to describe the act of giving something to another (where that list of possible 'somethings' could include small sums of money, intelligence on horse races, or the latest silly joke) goes back to 1610. 'Tip' slipped into the language as underworld slang, with the verb 'to tip' (meaning 'to give to or share with') being used by shady characters as part of the then-current argot of petty criminals.

[quietman1920]

Tipping in the US: 10% means there were some flaws with the service & you're not leaving happy. 15% means service was decent; 20% means the waiter/waitress knew their job & did it well. Personally, I only give either 20% or nothing.

Barbershops: If they have someone wash your hair, give them 1-2 dollars. The cutter gets $5 (unless she mohawks you). Make it easy: $2 in the left pocket & a $5 bill in the right pocket before you enter the shop. Things will run smoother.

Europe is different. I bought a round at a pub in the ROI, and when the barkeep walked to me with my change I said "No, no, Tip jar. Please put it in the tip jar." I was given a Very angry look at that (I knew I'd crossed a line, so I finished my drink quickly & quietly, got my coat and slipped out the door...).

PS- Pub Advice for Americans: Speak very little, Listen a Lot, buy rounds as you can afford to, and don't overstay your welcome. And whatever you do, Don't Hit On The Women: they've heard it all before. If you interest them, they'll let You know. Five simple rules that will make visiting pubs much more fun and generally keep you out of trouble. Trust Me.

[Donut]

Originally posted by quietman1920: PS- Pub Advice for Americans: Speak very little, Listen a Lot, buy rounds as you can afford to, and don't overstay your welcome. And whatever you do, Don't Hit On The Women: they've heard it all before. If you interest them, they'll let You know. Five simple rules that will make visiting pubs much more fun and generally keep you out of trouble. Trust Me.

Some good advice q-man but not on the business of buying rounds. Don't buy 'as you can afford to', buy the same as everyone else. If you buy more, people will think you are flash. If you don't buy when it's you're turn people will think you're tight. If you can't afford to buy a round don't accept a drink in the first place. Buying rounds is a social thing, always remember whose round it is and be aware who is in the round.